Stories from the Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph: February 26th, 1916.

Last night at the annual meeting of the Luton Free Church Council, Mr W. Perry asked that the support of the council should be given to conscientious objectors when they appeared at the Tribunal.

The Rev G. Roberts-Hern [Park Street Baptist Church] read a letter from Mr Perry in which he said he deplored the apathy and apparent indifference of the Free Church Council to the position of the conscientious objector. They ought surely to support, by testimony as to character and life, any of their church members who felt compelled to take up this attitude. A meeting to consider the question would not be out of place.

Mr Perry then set out the position of the conscientious objector which, he said, was being ignored or purposely misunderstood. The Christian objector could not even join a non-combatant body, he urged, because it entailed agreement with the idea of the military machine. These objectors were meeting scorn and misunderstanding, and were prepared to face worse. Was it too much to ask that the voice of the churches be raised in their behalf or were they to forget these men in following the drum?

The chairman, the Rev E. E. Ormiston [Waller Street Methodist Circuit], said Mr Perry's speech was very challenging but contained much to which he himself could not subscribe and was prepared to challenge. The churches hated war, but there was the danger of something worse.

After much discussion, it was felt that while there was much sympathy with and respect for the Christian objector, it was felt that it was not a matter upon which the churches could officially enter, but that it was a question for the individual.

• The heavy snowfall of the last few days has completely transformed Luton. The pictures show Downs Road-Ashburnham Road and Dallow Road recreation ground. Over 19 inches of snow would eventually fell between February 22nd and 29th, and many munition workers and straw workers were unable to get to work on their bikes.

• Sgt Coxall, of the Bedfordshire Regiment, who was rendered totally deaf by a high explosive shell at the Front three months ago, has recovered his hearing through the sudden shock of falling down stairs at Saffron Walden Red Cross Hospital.

• Wardown V.A.D. Hospital, previously attached to Aylesbury, is now transferred to Cambridge and will take patients from the military hospitals in the latter town. Commercial Cars Ltd will provide a concert and dance on March 18th at the Assembly Hall to raise money for a stretcher required by Wardown, and Luton Town Footballs Club said its directors would be pleased to provide accommodation for wounded soldiers at all home matches.

• We are asked to state for the convenience of those of our readers whom it concerns that official instructions have just been issued to the effect that all single unattested men in "starred," reserved or certified occupations must make a new application before the local Tribunal under the Military Service Act for exemption by March 1st. This must be done even by those who may have been "starred" or have applied to be treated as "starred" and it applies also to those who have been "starred" by the Central Tribunal and to those whose "starring" had been assented to by the military representative. The only exceptions are in the cases of those with Admiralty, War Office or war service badges.

• This morning the sad burning tragedy which occurred at Warwick Road on Thursday afternoon was investigated by the Deputy Coroner, Mr G. J. M. Whyley, at the Luton Court House. The deceased was Ivy Dickman, aged 19, daughter of Mr James Dickman, of 25 Warwick Road. She had apparently fallen on the fire while asleep. Some of her clothing caught fire, and although she received very prompt and capable assistance from Trooper Lineham, of the Northants Yeomanry, she was so terribly burned that she later died at the Bute Hospital. The jury returned a verdict that death was due to shock following burns accidentally sustained. They commended Trooper Lineham for his actions.

• Six more offenders were fined 20 shillings each for breaches of the Lighting Restrictions. Properties involved were in Regent Street, New Bedford Road, the Green Man public house in Duke Street, London Road, Boyle Street and Dale Road. A case from Ashburnham Road was adjourned.

• Last night's Gazette contained the announcement that a receiving order in bankruptcy had been filed in the matter of Panter & Co, straw hat manufacturers, of Guildford Street, Luton.

• With all military leave cancelled, a much depleted Luton Town team minus its top soldier players made the trip to Tottenham Hotspur for a match that was expected to be called off due to wintry weather. Only nine players left Luton, including an inexperienced forward line, and they were 4-2 down at the interval, despite taking an early lead. The stronger home team finally secured a 7-4 win.